JP2007019929A - Image forming apparatus, print service providing system, program, and recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus capable of adding a propaganda image including advertisement in a way capable of obtaining a high propaganda effect when providing services of applying image forming processing to an image received by reading an original, an input of an electronic file or the like processing. <P>SOLUTION: The image forming apparatus includes: an image information input means 12(13) for entering image information; an image addition means 16 for adding prescribed visible propaganda image information to the image information entered from the image information input means 12(13); and an image recording means 15 for forming an image from the image information after the prescribed propaganda image information is added thereto by the image addition means 16 to record the formed image to a recording medium. The prescribed propaganda image information is information recordable at a prescribed location on the recording medium and entirely overlapped with the image information entered by the image information input means 12(13). <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, a printing service providing system, a program, and a recording medium, and more specifically, an image forming apparatus capable of adding advertising image information separately from image information such as a printed image, and the apparatus The present invention relates to a printing service providing system that provides a printing service, a program to be incorporated in the apparatus and the system, and a computer-readable recording medium on which the program is recorded.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, image forming apparatuses have been installed to provide printing services in open spaces such as convenience stores and public use facilities. This image forming apparatus generally charges according to the number of copies. However, an additional image such as an advertisement image can be additionally combined and output in a blank area generated when the read document image is output. Things are attracting attention.

  Regarding billing for advertisement images, Patent Document 1 discloses an image forming apparatus for finely performing appropriate billing for a composite output image in which additional images such as advertisement images are additionally synthesized. Further, Patent Document 2 discloses a system for providing a cheaper image output service by subtracting a part of the charge associated with the use of advertisement information. In the system described in Patent Document 2, the advertiser can efficiently spread the advertisement information, and the user is subtracted from the charge for using the image information or the charge for using the content, that is, the discount charge. Is applied and a part of the advertising fee is returned to the user.

  As described above, in the related art relating to billing for advertising images, the copying fee when an advertising image is added differs from the copying fee when no advertising image is added, and both the copier user and the advertising image provider The convenience of

Some conventional image forming apparatuses can add and print the manufacturer name and serial number of the copied apparatus so that the person can visually recognize it separately from the printed image. The additional information added here can not only specify the copy source even when a copy is available, but can also serve as a check for copying. Conventionally, such additional information is engraved on the platen glass of the document table, and the printed image is halftone only at that portion, and is displayed as a printing result.
JP-A-9-90832 JP 2001-77953 A

  As described above, a method for providing an advertisement image using a conventional image forming apparatus is based on the premise that an additional image such as an advertisement image is additionally combined and output in a blank area generated when a read document image is output. . This is a premise that inevitably arises because the emphasis is on faithfully reproducing the original image that the user (user) wants to obtain.

  Because of this premise, the advertisement image has a limited print area, and further, the print area is limited to the top, bottom, left, and right edges, so that the advertisement image has a possibility of being cut off by the user. Therefore, in the current situation, the advertisement image providing method associated with the copy service in the prior art cannot obtain a sufficient advertising effect.

  Even if the read original image is reduced and an additional image such as an advertisement image is additionally combined in the margin area, fine characters are present in the original image or the user is an elderly person. The user often dislikes reduction, and as a result, the number of uses decreases, and not only the advertising effect but also the copy usage fee decreases.

  In addition, when a device that is configured to print half-tone by imprinting on the platen glass of the document table as in the prior art is applied to provide advertisement images, it is necessary to engrave advertisement information on each device, and manufacture parts. In addition to the high cost, even when switching advertisement information, it takes time for parts procurement and replacement work, and the cost cannot be increased immediately.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and in providing a service for performing image forming processing on an image input by reading a document or inputting an electronic file, a promotional image including an advertisement is displayed. An image forming apparatus that can be added so as to obtain a high advertising effect, a printing service providing system that includes the apparatus and provides a printing service, a program to be incorporated into the apparatus or system, and a computer that records the program An object is to provide a readable recording medium.

  The present invention is constituted by the following technical means in order to solve the above-described problems.

  The first technical means is an image forming apparatus for inputting image information to form an image on a recording material, the image information input means for inputting image information, and the image information input from the image information input means. On the other hand, an image adding means for adding visually observable predetermined advertisement image information, and an image is formed from the added image information after the predetermined advertisement image information is added by the image adding means. And the predetermined advertisement image information is information that can be recorded at a predetermined position on the recording material overlapping the image information input by the image information input means. It is a thing.

  According to a second technical means, in the first technical means, the predetermined advertisement image information is arranged so as to be recordable at the same position in each divided area when divided into a plurality of divided areas on the recording material. This is information on the same number of advertisement images as the divided areas.

  According to a third technical means, in the first or second technical means, the image adding means switches the predetermined position to which the predetermined advertisement image information is added according to the size of the recording material. Is.

  According to a fourth technical means, in the first or second technical means, the image adding means holds, as the predetermined advertising image information, advertising image information corresponding to a recording material handled by the image forming apparatus, The held advertisement image information is added according to the recording material to be recorded by the image recording means.

  According to a fifth technical means, in the fourth technical means, the image recording means comprises image conversion means for converting the form of an image when recording the image information input by the image information input means, The image adding means adds the held advertisement image information according to the recording material to be recorded by the image recording means even when the image form is converted by the image converting means. Is.

  A sixth technical means is the fourth or fifth technical means, wherein the image adding means uses the advertisement image corresponding to the size and / or color of the recording material handled by the image forming apparatus as the predetermined advertisement image information. It has means for holding information, and the held advertisement image information is added according to the size and / or color of the recording material to be recorded by the image recording means.

  According to a seventh technical means, in any one of the first to sixth technical means, the predetermined advertisement image information includes logo mark information.

  According to an eighth technical means, in any one of the first to seventh technical means, the predetermined advertisement image information is information of an image having gradation.

  A ninth technical means comprises any one of the first to eighth technical means, characterized in that it comprises a feature judging means for judging a feature of the image information input by the image information input means, and the image adding means comprises the feature The form of the predetermined advertisement image information is determined according to the feature determined by the determining means.

  A tenth technical means is any one of the first to ninth technical means, wherein the image adding means adds the predetermined advertisement image information to the image information inputted from the image information input means. It is characterized by having an additional determination means for allowing the user to determine whether or not.

  According to an eleventh technical means, in any one of the first to tenth technical means, the image adding means holds a plurality of the predetermined advertisement image information, and the image information inputted from the image information input means. The advertisement selection means for allowing the user to select one or more pieces of advertisement image information to be added from among the plurality of held advertisement images.

  The twelfth technical means includes user information input means for inputting user advertisement information relating to the user of the image forming apparatus in any one of the first to eleventh technical means, wherein the image adding means is the predetermined unit. User advertisement information input by the user information input means is also added as part of the advertisement image information.

  In a thirteenth technical means according to any one of the first to twelfth technical means, the image recording means has means for recording images on both sides of the recording material, and the image adding means comprises: It has a means for adding the predetermined advertisement image information to both or one of the image recorded on the first surface and the image recorded on the second surface of the recording material.

  In a fourteenth technical means according to the thirteenth technical means, the image adding means adds the predetermined advertisement image information recorded on both sides of the recording material so as to be shifted on the front and back sides of the recording material. It is characterized by doing.

  The fifteenth technical means is any one of the first to fourteenth technical means, wherein the image adding means causes the administrator of the image forming apparatus to set the content of the predetermined advertisement image information. It is characterized by having.

  In a sixteenth technical means according to any one of the first to fifteenth technical means, the image information input means includes image reading means for reading a document as image information, and the image forming apparatus includes the image adding means. A file recording unit for generating an image file from the added image information after the predetermined advertisement image information is added and recording the image file on a recording medium, wherein the predetermined advertisement image information is stored in the image reading unit. It includes information that can be combined and recorded at a predetermined position that overlaps the image information input in.

  A seventeenth technical means is characterized in that in any one of the first to sixteenth technical means, a recording consideration charging means for charging a user for recording by the image recording means is provided.

  According to an eighteenth technical means, in the seventeenth technical means, the recording consideration charging means performs a charging process depending on whether or not the advertisement image information is added by the image adding means. .

  A nineteenth technical means is the one according to the seventeenth or eighteenth technical means, wherein the recording consideration charging means performs a charging process in accordance with the advertisement image information added by the image adding means. .

  In a twentieth technical means according to any one of the seventeenth to nineteenth technical means, the recording consideration charging means performs a charging process in accordance with a form of advertisement image information added by the image adding means. It is what.

  A twenty-first technical means includes an image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to twentieth technical means, and an advertiser information processing apparatus connected to the image forming apparatus via a network, and provides a print service to a user. The print service providing system is provided with an advertising consideration charging means for charging the information processing apparatus through the network for advertising consideration.

  According to a twenty-second technical means, in the twenty-first technical means, the advertising consideration billing means is counted by an additional quantity counting means for counting a quantity to which the predetermined promotional image information is added, and the additional quantity counting means. It has a price calculation means for calculating the price for the quantity, and the information calculated by the price calculation means is charged to the information processing apparatus.

  A twenty-third technical means includes the image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to twentieth technical means, and an advertiser information processing apparatus connected to the image forming apparatus via a network, and provides a print service to the user. The print service providing system is provided with advertisement receiving means for receiving the predetermined advertisement image information from the information processing apparatus via a network.

  The twenty-fourth technical means is incorporated in the image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to twentieth technical means, and the control unit of the image forming apparatus is used as the image adding means or the image adding means and the recording consideration charging means. It is a program to make it function.

  The twenty-fifth technical means is incorporated in the image forming apparatus in the printing service providing system according to any one of the twenty-first to twenty-third technical means, and the control unit of the image forming apparatus is used as the advertising consideration charging means or the advertising receiving means. It is a program to make it function.

  A twenty-sixth technical means is a computer-readable recording medium on which a program according to the twenty-fourth or twenty-fifth technical means is recorded.

  According to the present invention, when providing a service for performing image forming processing on an image input by reading a document or inputting an electronic file, an advertisement image including an advertisement is added so as to obtain a high advertisement effect. It becomes possible.

  An image forming apparatus according to the present invention is an apparatus that inputs image information and performs predetermined processing, and forms an image on a recording material such as recording paper from the input image information such as image data or an electronic file read from a document. It is assumed that at least a function for performing image processing and a function for charging for image formation are provided internally or externally.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration example of an image processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, 1 is an image forming apparatus, 11 is user authentication means, 12 is first image information input means, and 13 is Second image information input means, 14 is an image processing mode determination means, 15 is an image processing means (image recording means), 16 is an image addition means, 16a is an addition determination means, 16b is an advertisement selection means, and 16c is an additional information setting means. , 16d is a feature determining means, 17 is a processing means (recording means), 18 is a charging means, 18a is a recording consideration charging means, and 18b is an advertising consideration charging means.

  The image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes at least one image information input means (means 12 and / or means 13), an image adding means 16 for adding an advertisement image, and a processing means 17 for executing predetermined processing in the image forming apparatus 1. Of these, image recording means for inputting image information to form an image on a recording material is provided, and charging means 18 for charging the user or the user and the advertiser is incorporated or attached. .

  The image information input means is means for inputting image information, and preferably has two or more input means as shown by the first image information input means 12 and the second image information input means 13. The input means 12 and 13 may be image reading means such as a scanner that optically reads a document to generate image data, or an electronic file is transferred from another device such as a PC (personal computer) to a network or the like. Or a reading / receiving unit that reads and receives an electronic file from an external recording medium attached to the image forming apparatus 1.

  The image processing mode determination means 14 is a means for the user to select and determine one or more types of image processing means 15 by mode selection. The image processing means 15 includes means for generating / transferring / filing image data from the image information read by the image reading means, an image recording means for forming an image from the image information read by the image reading means, and a receiving or external recording medium. An image recording unit or the like that forms an image from image information obtained by data reading or the like corresponds to the processing unit 17 (for example, a recording unit).

  Accordingly, the image processing mode determination unit 14 sends a scan to file or scan to E-mail, a printing process after scanning, a printing process after receiving a file, a printing process after scanning, or a scanning process after scanning. The image forming apparatus 1 is caused to function in a mode selected by the user from among the modes such as electronic file generation / recording processing. In any of the processing means 17, basically, after the predetermined advertisement image information is added to the image information input by the image information input means by the image addition means 16, each image processing is executed. Make it possible. When the image processing means 15 is an image recording means, an image is formed from the post-addition image information after the predetermined advertisement image information is added to the image information by the image addition means 16 and recorded on the recording material. Become.

  The image adding means 16 is means for adding predetermined visible advertisement image information to the image information input from the image information input means, and executes the adding process preferably immediately before the final process. The predetermined advertisement image information added here is information that can be recorded at a predetermined position on the recording material overlapping the image information input by the image information input means, and preferably the recorded image of the input image information and the entire image Information that can be recorded at a predetermined position on the recording material. In other words, in the present invention, the image adding unit 16 adds the advertisement image information to the image data, and the image recording unit 15 records the image based on the image data to which the advertisement image information is added by the image adding unit 16. .

  Predetermined promotional image information is preferable for improving the visual impression that it is not information that is too complicated with respect to the input image information, and includes information representing the logo mark such as the company name or product name of the advertiser. Is preferred. The predetermined advertisement image information to be added is information on an image having gradation, and it is preferable that the gradation is determined so as to avoid recording at such a density that the input image information cannot be read. .

  Further, the image information input means 12 (13) is required to have an image reading means for reading a document as image information. The image forming apparatus 1 is provided with predetermined advertisement image information added by the image adding means 16. It is preferable to provide a file recording means for generating an image file from the image information after the addition and recording it on a recording medium. The predetermined advertisement image information includes information that can be combined and recorded at a predetermined position that entirely overlaps with the image information input by the image reading unit, similarly to the image recording unit 15.

  The recording medium here is not a recording material such as a recording paper or a recording sheet by the image recording means 15, but a recording medium for recording data electrically, magnetically, and optically such as HD and various disk media. Therefore, the file recording means includes a recording medium driving device such as an HD drive, or a filing device (provided in a PC or the like) that includes the driving device and generates and files an electronic file such as PDF. However, when an electronic file is recorded on an HD or the like, it is necessary to record the advertisement image information in an inseparable state. Further, the recording consideration charging unit 18a described later may perform the same charging process such as a reduction measure for the recording by the file recording unit. In addition, file recording by the file recording unit can be applied to various application examples of the image adding unit 16 described in this specification in the same manner as the image recording by the image recording unit 15.

  The image adding unit 16 preferably includes an addition determining unit 16a that allows the user to determine whether or not to add predetermined advertisement image information to the image information input from the image information input unit. The addition determining means 16a causes the user to input whether or not to add at the time of image recording, and determines whether or not to add based on the input. If the advertisement image information is always added, the user may want to obtain an unadded copy, so even if the service is provided, there are few users, and addition / non-addition is not possible. When the user makes a selection, the user rarely chooses to add a promotion if there is no reduction in the billing amount. Accordingly, it is preferable that the recording consideration billing means 18a described later reduce the consideration by this addition.

  Further, the present invention is not limited to the fact that the advertisement determining information 16a can be provided and the advertisement image information can be not added, or the CIS (contact optical reading method) image reading means described later can be adopted. It can be seen that the platen glass is not necessarily stamped as a copy image.

  The image adding means 16 preferably includes advertisement selection means 16b as well as addition / non-addition selection. The advertisement selection means 16b holds a plurality of predetermined advertisement image information, and records one or more advertisement image information added to the image information input from the image information input means to the user. Let them choose sometimes. Since the user can select desired advertisement image information from a plurality of advertisement image information, it is not necessary to record advertisement images of unfavorable advertisers. Can increase the frequency.

  In addition, in order to enable an administrator of the image forming apparatus 1 (for example, an installer of the apparatus or a manager of the installation location) to set advertisement image information, the image adding unit 16 includes contents of predetermined advertisement image information. It is preferable to have additional information setting means 16c for registering and setting. In particular, the advertisement is requested based on the connection with the product or the management strategy of the advertiser. In many cases, the contract is made for a limited period, and the advertisement image information should be changed. Also, depending on the installation location, there are places where promotional images cannot be added, or there is a way of thinking of trying to increase profits only with a copy price without adding promotional images. Means for setting the addition may also be provided.

  Further, the image forming apparatus 1 authenticates a user (mainly an administrator user) for performing various settings (including the above-described addition / non-addition settings) as well as administrator authentication in the additional information setting unit 16c. It is preferable to provide the user authentication means 11 to do. The additional information setting unit 16c allows only the administrator of the image forming apparatus authenticated by the user authentication unit 11 to set the content of predetermined advertisement image information. Setting means for setting advertisement image information added to the image data by the image adding means is provided.

  Further, the image adding unit 16 (or the image forming apparatus 1) may include a feature determining unit 16d that determines the feature of the image information input by the image information input unit. And the image addition means 16 is good to determine the form of predetermined | prescribed advertisement image information according to the characteristic determined by the characteristic determination means 16d. Here, the form of the advertisement image information represents the number, density, color, size, position, etc. of the advertisement image to be recorded. For example, when the feature of the image is a photograph and when it is an image of a text document, Applications such as different concentrations can be applied.

  Further, although not shown, the image forming apparatus 1 may be provided with user information input means for inputting user advertisement information regarding the user himself / herself. This user information input means may be provided on, for example, an operation panel together with the image processing mode determination means 14 and the user authentication means 11. And the image addition means 16 is good also to add the user advertisement information input by the user information input means as a part of predetermined advertisement image information. In this way, even when the user wants to advertise himself / herself, the user information input means inputs the contents of the advertisement by taking in characters and image information and adds it, and records such as printing. Can be distributed by the user. In addition, when user advertisement information is added, the charge in the recording consideration charging means 18a, which will be described later, is set so as to increase the amount, or to deduct zero together with the reduced amount of the advertisement image information originally added. You may keep it. Furthermore, in the case of recording a plurality of copies, the recording consideration billing means 18a may increase the degree of reduction due to the addition of the advertisement image because the user who performed the recording operation is expected to give it to another person.

  As described above, the image forming apparatus 1 preferably includes the recording fee charging unit 18a that charges the user for recording by the image recording unit 15, and may be provided outside the image forming apparatus main body. The recording fee billing unit 18a may perform billing processing depending on whether the image adding unit 16 adds the advertisement image information. Further, the recording consideration charging unit 18a may perform a charging process according to the advertisement image information added by the image adding unit 16. In particular, the charge amount may be varied depending on the advertisement image information that can be selected by the advertisement selection means 16b. Further, the recording consideration charging unit 18a may perform the charging process according to the form (number, density, color, size, position, etc.) of the advertisement image information added by the image adding unit 16.

  In addition, the image forming apparatus 1 preferably includes an advertising consideration charging means 18b for charging an advertising fee to the advertiser (only sending a bill). The advertising consideration charging means 18b is a means for charging an information processing device such as a PC or server of the advertiser via the network. As described above, the present invention includes an image forming apparatus 1 and an information processing apparatus of an advertiser connected to the image forming apparatus 1 via a network, and also has a form as a print service providing system that provides a print service to a user. It can be taken.

  The advertising consideration charging means 18b includes an additional quantity counting means for counting the quantity to which the predetermined advertising image information is added, and a consideration calculating means for calculating the consideration for the quantity counted by the additional quantity counting means. Also good. Then, the consideration calculated by the consideration calculation means may be charged to the information processing apparatus via the network.

  Further, although not shown, the image forming apparatus 1 preferably includes an advertisement receiving unit that receives advertisement image information (which may be the original information) from the advertiser. The advertisement image information can be received by the additional information setting means 16c in a state of being printed on a sheet of paper, and the administrator can read the document and take it into the image forming apparatus 1, or the means 16c can use a recording medium or the like. The administrator can also receive it and read it into the image forming apparatus 1. However, it is preferable to provide advertisement receiving means for receiving advertisement image information from the advertiser's information processing apparatus via the network separately or in addition to these functions. Further, the advertisement receiving means may be configured so as to be able to cope with a rule determined by setting either the price or receiving the advertisement image information specifying the price.

  As described above, the present invention can also take the form of the above-described printing service providing system, and the advertisement receiving unit and the advertisement consideration charging unit 18b are provided in the system, preferably in the image forming apparatus 1. preferable.

  Further, the image recording means 15 preferably has means for recording images on both sides of the recording material. In this case, the image adding means 16 has an image recorded on the first surface of the recording material and the first image. It is preferable to have means for adding predetermined advertising image information to both or one of the images recorded on the second side. In order to record on both sides, first and second image information input means 12 and 13 for reading both sides may be provided, and the images read on each side may be recorded on each side, or two sheets may be read and recorded. You may make it print on both surfaces of material.

  Whether to record only on one side or on both sides can be set by the user by the addition determining means 16a, can be set by the administrator by the additional information setting means 16c, or can be set by both. . In the case of only one side, it is also possible to add to the empty image information only on the back side. In addition, when recording on both sides of the recording material, the image adding means 16 may cut out to the user that the predetermined advertisement image information is added so as to be shifted on the front and back of the recording material. It is preferable for preventing the occurrence of the above.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a system including an image forming apparatus according to the present invention, wherein 1 is a digital multi-function peripheral as an example of the image forming apparatus, 20 is a first image reading unit, and 21 is a second image reading unit. , 22 is an operation unit, 23 is an image forming unit, 24 is a hard disk (HD) as an example of a storage device, 25 is a FAX modem, 26 is a communication unit, 27 is a management unit, 28 is a timer, 29 is an erasing processing unit, 30 is a device control unit, 31 is an image adding unit, and 32 is a charging unit.

  2 includes a first image reading unit 20, a second image reading unit 21, an operation unit 22, an image forming unit 23, an HD 24, a FAX modem 25, a communication unit 26, a management unit 27, and a timer 28. , An erasing processing unit 29, a device control unit 30, an image adding unit 31 which is a characteristic part of the present invention, and the like, and a charging unit 32 is provided inside or outside.

  In addition, as illustrated in FIG. 2, for example, an external FAX 106 is connected to the digital multifunction peripheral 1 through a telephone line network 104, and a plurality of networks are connected via a network 103 such as a LAN or a WAN (Wide Area Network). Terminal PCs 102a, 102b,. . . Further, it may be connected to the Internet FAX 107, the external PC 108, the external server 109, etc. outside the network 103 via the Internet network 105. With these network configurations, various data can be transmitted and received, and various image information can be input. The external PC 108 and the external server 109 can be installed as the advertiser's PC or server.

  The operation unit 22 includes a touch panel including an output unit (display unit) 22b that displays an operation screen and an input unit 22a that allows a user to input various settings and operation contents based on the display. The operation unit 22 allows the user to specify normal input data, specify a storage destination, input authentication data (such as an authentication code), and set storage conditions. In addition, the operation unit 22 selects and sets image processing modes such as printing / data storage / scanning, designation of advertisement image information (and its color, position, number, size), and designation of addition / non-addition regarding the present invention. In addition, input of various setting information including input setting of user advertisement information, scaling setting, duplex printing setting, automatic paper selection, paper selection such as A4, B5, etc., feeding from the paper feeding tray in the paper feeding unit 23d The user also makes settings such as paper tray selection. However, among the settings related to the image addition processing of the present invention, there are also settings that can be executed only by the administrator or the user as described above.

  The image reading unit 20 detects the presence or absence of a document by the document detection sensor 20b based on an operation on the operation unit 22, and reads the document by the CCD 20a and outputs it as image data. Similarly, the CIS image reading unit 21 detects the presence or absence of a document by the document detection sensor 21b based on the operation of the operation unit 22, and the CCD 21a reads the document and outputs it as image data. In both cases, the output destination is HD 24 via the image forming unit 23 or directly HD 24 when executing the filing process, the image forming unit 23 when printing, and the communication unit 26 when transmitting data. Become. The FAX modem 25 is a modem for performing facsimile communication with the external FAX 106. The communication unit 26 controls communication with an external device of the digital multi-function peripheral 1 connected via the network 103.

  The image forming unit 23 temporarily stores the image data read by the image reading units 20 and 21, the received data (received file) received by the FAX modem 25 or the communication unit 26 in the memory 23b, and stores the laser scanner unit (LSU). An image is formed on a medium such as paper from the mounted printing unit 23a. At that time, the print data may be once accumulated in the HD 24 and read out to the memory 23b again when all the data is stored, and an image may be formed by the print unit 23a. The paper is supplied from the paper supply unit 23d, and after printing, is discharged from the discharge unit 23e. In the image forming unit 23, it is possible to encrypt the data such as the image data stored in the memory 23b in the encryption processing unit 23c and store it in the HD 24. Conversely, the encrypted data stored in the HD 24 is stored in the image forming unit 23. Can be decrypted and output to an external device via the memory 103b via the network 103 or the like, or can be printed out as a medium by the printing unit 23a. The erasure processing unit 29 performs a process of erasing the data stored in the HD 24 in order to maintain security or secure storage capacity.

  As described above, the digital multifunction device 1 is provided with the key input unit 22 a and the display unit 22 b in the operation unit 22, and can perform ID input in addition to the function instruction operation of the digital multifunction device 1. In addition to the ID input, the digital multifunction peripheral 1 may include an ID card reader that inputs an ID card and reads the information. As described above, the digital multi-function peripheral 1 is preferably provided with some user identification means, for example, such authentication means. Any authentication means may be used as long as it authenticates a general user or an administrator user based on user information and enables use of the own apparatus 1. The digital multifunction peripheral 1 first limits the users by this authentication means. . However, it is preferable that a user other than the administrator can execute the process without authentication, but the authentication may be performed, for example, by inserting money in advance in the charging unit 32. Further, the digital multi-function peripheral 1 can perform bidirectional data communication with connected devices (terminal PCs 102a, 102b, etc.) by the communication unit 26.

  The billing unit 32 is a part corresponding to the billing means 18 of FIG. 1 and is connected to the device control unit 30 and billing information 27b for billing (billing information for users and advertisers) managed by the management unit 27 and the like. This is a unit for executing the charging for the amount of image recording processing performed by the image forming unit 23 and the like in consideration of the addition of the advertisement image information by the image adding unit 31. It is preferable that the charging unit 32 be a unit that supports direct input of money, credit card reading means, and other charging.

  The device control unit 30 is a main control unit connected to each of the above-described units. The device control unit 30 refers to the management data of the management unit 27 and the timer time from the timer 28, and starts exchanging data between the units of the digital multifunction peripheral 1. The overall operation of the digital multi-function peripheral 1 is controlled as follows. The management unit 27 manages, for example, folder information and storage condition information stored in the HD 24, the IP address of the own device 1, and the like. The management unit 27 further allows the image adding unit 31 to read out the advertisement image information 27a according to the present invention to the memory 23b via the device control unit 30 in accordance with the setting for using each advertisement image information 27a. It is maintained and managed. Similarly, the management unit 27 also holds the billing information 27b as described above. The timer 28 measures the time of the standby state of the digital multifunction device 1 and notifies the device control unit 30 of this time.

  An example of control in the device control unit 30 is as follows. The operation unit 22 notifies the device control unit 30 of a copy request or various recording conditions instructed by a user's operation input. The operating state of the multifunction device 1 is displayed on the display screen of the display unit 22b of the operation unit 22, and the image forming unit 23 is instructed to perform printing processing. In the printing process, control of addition of advertisement image information according to the present invention and change of the form such as color and size is also performed. Further, when executing the filing, the device control unit 30 performs folder information in the HD 24 by the management unit 27 on the external transmission data transmitted from the PC 102a or the like or the data read by the image reading units 20 and 21. Data conversion is performed by referring to the storage condition information or the like, and the converted image data is stored in the HD 24 designated folder.

  The image adding unit 31 which is a main characteristic part of the present invention is a part corresponding to the image adding unit 16 of FIG. 1, and the image adding unit 31 receives the image information input from the image reading units 20 and 21, the communication unit 26, etc. A predetermined advertisement image information that identifies 1 is added. The image adding unit 31 will be described later along with an example of advertisement image information to be added. The image addition unit 31 includes an addition determination unit 31a that performs addition / non-addition determination described in the addition determination unit 16a, an advertisement selection unit 31b corresponding to the advertisement selection unit 16b, and an information setting unit 31c corresponding to the additional information setting unit 16c. , And a feature determination unit 31d corresponding to the feature determination means 16d, and various parts such as a part corresponding to the input of user advertisement information. Further, the image adding unit 31 is also controlled by the device control unit 30 as described above.

  An example of processing executed by the image adding unit 31 according to a command from the device control unit 30 will be described. For example, image information (print data) input from the image reading unit 20 or the image reading unit 21 is held in a buffer memory 23b by an image processing unit (not shown), and is expanded to generate print image data. The image processing unit is connected to the device control unit 30, receives an instruction signal from the device control unit 30, and processes the data that has entered the memory in accordance with the information of the signal. At that time, advertisement image information is added as necessary. When executing the image addition process, the image addition unit 31 reads out the advertisement image information 27a to be added to the print image data in the memory 23b from the management unit 27 and uses it according to the instruction signal from the device control unit 30. Generate data. The generated advertisement image data is combined with the print image data in the memory 23b, sent to a printer (image forming unit 23), printed on an image forming body such as paper, and output. After the output, the charging unit 32 performs a charging process for money or credit card inserted in advance in consideration of the addition of the advertisement image information in the image adding unit 31 by an instruction from the device control unit 30, Charges for the advertisement to the PC 108 and server 109 of the advertiser of the added advertisement image information.

  In addition, the configuration of the digital multifunction peripheral 1 according to the present invention and the connection form with an external device are not limited to this example. It is not necessary for each unit to be configured by hardware, and a program for causing the digital multi-function peripheral 1 to function as each unit is a control unit for the device control unit 30, the image addition unit 31, or a control unit in the printing unit 23a. It can also be easily implemented by incorporating it into (or partially incorporating it into the management unit 27) and causing it to be executed by an arithmetic unit. In addition, the above-described program is often implemented as firmware, for example, in the device control unit 30, the image addition unit 31, the printing unit 23a, the management unit 27, and the like of the digital multi-function peripheral 1, and the data used for the firmware is also the same. Stored in

  Here, the image reading units 20 and 21 will be supplementarily described. FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a configuration example of the image reading unit in the image forming apparatus of FIG. 2, and is also a schematic cross-sectional view showing a configuration example of the image reading apparatus according to the present invention. An example equipped with the first image reading unit 20 and the second image reading unit 21 described above is an image scanner unit 40 of FIG.

  The image scanner unit 40 includes an SPF (Single Pass Feeder) and has a function of reading images on both sides of a document by transporting the document transport path once. The image scanner unit 40 includes a document conveyance path 44 from the document placement tray 42 to the document discharge tray 43. The document is transported from the document placement tray 42 toward the document discharge tray 43 through the document transport path 44. A pickup roller 47 and a separation roller 48 are disposed at the upstream end of the document conveyance path 44 in the document conveyance direction, and the documents stacked on the document placement tray 42 are documented one by one by the pickup roller 47 and the separation roller 48. It is supplied to the conveyance path 44. A discharge roller 49 is disposed at the downstream end of the document conveyance path 44 in the document conveyance direction, and the document conveyed through the document conveyance path 44 is discharged to the document discharge tray 43 by the discharge roller 49.

  In the document conveyance path 44, a CCD image reading unit 45 and a CIS image reading unit 46 are arranged in this order along the document conveyance direction. The CCD image reading unit 45 reads an image on the first side of the document, and the CIS image reading unit 46 reads an image on the second side of the document. As will be described later, the image reading unit 45 has a reduction optical system that collectively reduces through an imaging lens. Although details of the CIS image reading unit 46 are not described, the image reading unit 46 has a CCD charge transfer type line sensor installed corresponding to the width of the document.

  In general, the image reading units 45 and 46 detect an exposure lamp, an inverter circuit that turns on the exposure lamp, light reflected from the exposure lamp and reflected on the document by a photodiode (FD), and converts the light into charges. And a CCD transfer type image sensor that electrically detects the electric charge by transferring it with the CCD. The first image reading unit 45 includes a first scanning unit 45c having an exposure lamp 45a and a first reflection mirror 45b, a second scanning unit having a second reflection mirror 45d and a third reflection mirror 45e. 45f, an imaging lens 45g, and a CCD sensor 45h. The light emitted from the exposure lamp 45a and reflected by the first surface of the document is sequentially reflected by the first reflecting mirror 45b, the second reflecting mirror 45d, and the third reflecting mirror 45e and enters the imaging lens 45g. . The imaging lens 45g forms an image of incident light on the CCD sensor 45h. The CCD sensor 45h photoelectrically converts the light imaged by the imaging lens 45g and reads it as image data.

  Each of the first scanning unit 45c and the second scanning unit 45f is configured to be displaceable in the sub-scanning direction along the platen glass on which the document is placed when reading the image of the document by the document fixing method. The first image reading means 45 displaces the first scanning unit 45c and the second scanning unit 45f in the sub-scanning direction, thereby reading the image of the document placed and fixed on the platen glass, and Image data of an image can be acquired. Further, a separate platen glass is disposed at the image reading position, and light emitted from the exposure lamp 45a passes through the platen glass and is irradiated onto the original. A standard white plate used for shading correction is disposed on the wall surface of the document conveying path 44 facing the platen glass at the image reading position. As described above, the first image reading unit 45 is configured to be used for both the document moving method and the document fixing method, so that the document fixing method image reading unit is provided separately from the document moving method image reading unit. The original image can be read by the original fixing method.

  On the upstream side of the CCD image reading unit 45, conveyance rollers 50 and 51 driven by a document conveyance motor and a curved portion 52 of the document conveyance path are arranged in this order along the document conveyance direction. On the other hand, no conveyance roller is disposed between the CCD image reading unit 45 and the CIS image reading unit 46, and the document conveyance path 44 is formed in a substantially straight line. You may arrange.

  Here, an image reading apparatus (or an image reading unit in an image forming apparatus or an image recording apparatus) has been described as the image scanner unit 40. However, the image reading unit is not limited to the exemplified unit configuration, and the number of image reading units is 1 without limitation. It may be one. Further, since the first image reading unit 45 includes the reduction optical system, the optical path length for image reading is shortened, and the image scanner unit 40 can be miniaturized as the second image reading unit 46. Instead of a contact image sensor (CIS) that eliminates the need for an optical path, a reduction optical system may be employed.

  In the present invention, since a configuration in which additional information is physically engraved on the platen glass is not adopted, even if the image information is read by flowing a document with a line sensor such as the image reading unit 46, the advertisement image is displayed. Information can be added. That is, the conventional method of reading the polished glass pattern cannot be adopted, and the advertisement image information can be added to the image information obtained by reading the conveyed document by electronically embedding the data. Therefore, the cost and time are not required for replacement when the platen glass is broken as in the prior art. In the example of FIG. 3, even image information read by the image reading unit 45 can be added in the same manner. In this way, it is preferable that image information can be input by means for reading a document on the document transport path. This means is a reading means for reading a document image in the course of transporting the document.

  Here, the device control unit 30 will be described supplementarily. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the device control unit in the image forming apparatus of FIG. The device control unit 30 described above includes, for example, a memory such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 30a and a RAM (Random Access Memory) 30b, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 30c, an input I / F 30e, and an output I / F 30f. It is connected by 30d.

  The ROM 30c stores, as firmware, a basic control program, a control program for adding an image according to the present invention, and various conversion data (such as a setting table and a color change table). As described above, these programs and data may be distributed and stored in each unit. The control program and data according to the present invention are a program for adding additional information to the image information read by the image reading units 20 and 21, and a program for changing the additional information according to the size, color, etc. of the recording paper. And a color change table in which correction values according to the color of the recording paper for each basic color are described.

  These programs are programs that are incorporated into the digital multi-function peripheral 1 including an arithmetic processing unit such as the CPU 30a and executed by the arithmetic processing unit (mainly the CPU 30a) in the digital multi-function peripheral 1. This program includes at least a program for causing the CPU 30a to execute the image addition processing step according to the present invention, and preferably the billing processing and the advertisement receiving processing step. Therefore, the program according to the present invention is incorporated into an image processing apparatus (an image forming apparatus, an image reading apparatus, an image recording apparatus, etc.) having a control unit including an arithmetic processing unit and the like, and the control unit of the image processing apparatus is added to the image This is a program for functioning as means 16.

  Among these programs, a control program for image addition processing or the like according to the present invention is read from the ROM 30c to the RAM 30b by the CPU 30a, and the input I / F 30e is input from the image reading units 20 and 21 as an object of image formation. An image forming unit 23 (and an image reading unit) that adds predetermined advertisement image information different from the image information to the image information input via the image information and forms a monochrome image (color image if color-compatible) on recording paper 20, 21), the CPU 30 a is driven so as to output via the output I / F 30 f. Here, necessary information such as advertisement image information may be acquired by inputting from the external HD 24 or the like via the input I / F 30e or by storing in advance in the ROM 30c and reading out. The information handled here is input by the input I / F 30e, temporarily stored in the RAM 30b at the time of processing, and thereafter stored in the hard disk via various ROMs 30c and the output I / F 30f. Reading, correction, and writing are performed by the CPU 30a.

  Further, such a control program such as advertisement image addition processing can be provided as a computer-readable recording medium on which the control program is recorded. Specifically, a CD-ROM, a magneto-optical disk, a DVD-ROM, a flexible disk, a flash memory, and various other ROMs and RAMs can be assumed as the recording medium, and the above-mentioned program is recorded on these recording media. This function makes it easy to realize this function. Then, the corresponding program is stored in the image forming apparatus (and the advertiser's information processing apparatus), and the function for adding the advertisement image according to the present invention can be executed by reading out the program as necessary. it can.

  Hereinafter, various embodiments of the present invention that can be applied to the above-described apparatus configuration examples will be described. 5 to 10 show various examples of the recording material printed by the image forming apparatus of the present invention.

  The advertisement image information in the present invention is, for example, advertisement image information such as watermarks 62a and 62b visible in FIG. 5 (in this example, “SHARP AQUAS”) together with a print result 61 based on input image information and a recording material. This is data for printing on 60. The watermark referred to in the present invention refers to a mark printed on the background (in the case of an electronic file, incorporated as a background image) so that it is at least visible to the human eye. This mark may be a character written with dotted lines or chain lines. The marks exemplified by the watermarks 62a and 62b have positions, numbers, and sizes such that positions where the input image information is supposed to be printed are not circulated by cutting the recording material. . 5 to 10 show an example in which a plurality of marks are printed on the same recording material as the watermark. However, for example, a watermark in which one long character string is arranged in a circle may be used. Good.

  By adding such advertisement image information, for example, if “SHARP AQUIS” is marked on the printed recording material, the printed material is distributed not only to the person who viewed the recording material, that is, the user who printed it. If the person can see the promotional information “SHARP AQUIOS” or if “SHARP AQUIOS” is marked on the background of the recorded electronic file, the person who opened the file (not only the user who recorded the file) (Including those who distribute the file) may be able to see the advertising information “SHARP AQUAS”.

  As illustrated in FIG. 5, the advertisement images 62 a and 62 b added by the predetermined advertisement image information have the same position in each divided area when divided into a plurality of divided areas on the recording material 60 by the upper and lower halves. It may be arranged and recorded. In this example, the “SHARP” promotional image 62a and the “AQUAS” promotional image 62b are different images, but they may be treated as a set or recorded by another advertiser. In addition, as illustrated in FIG. 6, the advertisement images 65 a to 65 d added by the predetermined advertisement image information are divided into upper and lower ends on the recording material 63 and in respective divided areas when divided at the left and right ends. It may be arranged and recorded at the same position. The predetermined advertisement image information may be information relating to the same number of advertisement images as the divided areas so that recording at such positions is possible.

  By adding such an advertisement image, even if it is cut and distributed in the middle, advertisement information is printed in both areas, so an advertisement effect can be obtained without fail. Such an idea is not limited to the two regions divided in the horizontal direction as shown in FIG. 5, and may be divided in the vertical direction, or divided in the horizontal and vertical directions, and the number of divisions may also be Three or more regions may be used. In each divided area, an advertisement image is preferably printed near the center. Further, as the divided area, a dividing method may be employed in which one piece of advertisement image information is printed near the center for a certain area. Accordingly, there are various forms such as dividing the region diagonally. In this manner, at least two pieces of predetermined image information may be added at positions preferably opposed to each other on a recording material on which an image is recorded. As described above, even for one piece of advertisement image information, it is sufficient to occupy a large area as a whole by arranging characters in a circle or the like, and a position that overlaps the input image information ( It may be added to the position representing the entire input image.

  Further, as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, when the image recording unit 15 includes a unit for recording images on both sides of the recording material, the image adding unit 16 is illustrated in FIG. As described above, predetermined advertisement images 72a, 72b, 74a, and 74b are added to the image 71 recorded on the first surface and the image 73 recorded on the second surface of the recording material 70, respectively. Is preferred.

  Furthermore, the image adding means 16 is in a state where predetermined advertising image information recorded on both surfaces of the recording material 70 is shifted on the front and back of the recording material 70 as exemplified by the advertising images 72a and 72b and the advertising images 74a and 74b. It is preferable to add such that By doing this, even if it is a double-sided case, one side and the other side can be prevented from overlapping, so the area that can be cut can be reduced, and the source can be cut so that the source cannot be grasped It becomes difficult and can raise the advertising effect.

  Further, the description has been made centering on determining the form of the advertisement image information based on the input image information, but the form may be determined according to the type of the recording material. Therefore, it is preferable that the image adding means 16 has means for holding advertisement image information corresponding to a recording material handled by the image forming apparatus as predetermined advertisement image information. The image adding unit 16 adds the advertisement image information held by the image recording unit 15 according to the recording material to be recorded.

  Here, “according to the recording material” may correspond to the size of the recording material (B5, A4, etc.) handled by the image forming apparatus. In this case, the advertisement image information is held for each size. In this case, advertisement image information suitable for the size of the recording material actually used is used. Further, in addition to the method of preparing the advertisement image information for each size in advance, the image adding means 16 may switch the predetermined position to which the predetermined advertisement image information is added according to the size of the recording material. For example, the positions of the advertisement images 62a and 62b on the recording material 60 such as A4 or B5 paper illustrated in FIG. 5 and the advertisement images 65a, 65b and 65c on the recording material 63 such as A3 or B4 paper illustrated in FIG. , 65d. For example, it may be shifted a little, and it should be set in consideration of improving the advertising effect. Further, as the number of advertisement images is changed in the examples of FIGS. 5 and 6, the advertisement images necessary for the effect of advertisement increase as the size increases, or the number needs to be increased.

  Also, depending on the recording material, it may correspond to the color of the recording material handled by the image forming apparatus. In this case, the advertisement image information is held for each color of the recording material and actually used. Use promotional image information that matches the color of the recording material. As the advertisement image information matching the color of the recording material, it is only necessary to change the color, and it is only necessary to hold information having a visually recognizable color corresponding to the color of the recording material handled by the image forming apparatus. Here, the color of the advertisement image information may differ from the color of the recording material in terms of density, hue, brightness, saturation, and the like so that a sufficient advertising effect is obtained. Note that if the image forming apparatus supports only monochrome, it is only necessary to deal with the difference in lightness (density) of the color. In the case of a color image forming apparatus, advertising image information can be created by making full use of the color. That's fine. For example, the color (light gray) of the advertising images 62a and 62b on the recording material 60 (assumed white) illustrated in FIG. 5 and the advertising image 68a on the recording material 66 (assumed pink) illustrated in FIG. Different colors such as 68b (dark gray). Further, the advertisement image information may be dark or colored so that it can be recognized even when the secondary copy is made. Accordingly, it is preferable that the color appearing as a copy result at the time of copying can be advertised even in the secondary copying.

  Further, as the advertisement image information suitable for the color of the recording material, the shape of the image itself may be changed according to the color of the recording material. For example, advertisement image information of different character strings is added to photographic paper and plain paper. You may do it.

  Information regarding the color of the recording material may be obtained by user input such as paper feed tray settings and color settings. As another form of acquiring information relating to the color of the recording material, the color image forming apparatus may be provided with a color determining means for determining the color of the recording material when paper is fed. For example, even if there are a plurality of paper feed trays, a charge-coupled device (CCD) is always installed at a position where the recording material passes, and the color is discriminated by that.

  The image recording means 15 preferably has an image conversion means for converting the form of the image when recording the image information input by the image information input means. The image conversion means refers to means for converting an image by scaling or aggregation by enlargement / reduction. The image adding means 16 adds the held advertisement image information according to the recording material to be recorded by the image recording means 15 even when the image form is converted by the image converting means. Good. For example, when the same size printing is performed on the document 75 on which the image 76 as shown in FIG. 9 is printed, it is added like advertisement images 62a and 62b on the recording material 60 (assumed to be A4) illustrated in FIG. When the image 78 is formed on the recording material 77 (assumed to be B5) illustrated in FIG. 9 by reducing the size, a similarly reduced advertisement image may be printed like the advertisement images 79a and 79b. For example, such an advertisement image holds advertisement image information for printing advertisement images 62a and 62b for A4, and advertisement image information for printing advertisement images 79a and 79b for B5. .

  As described above, it is preferable that the image information added by the image adding unit 16 is determined when the recording material on which an image is recorded is determined by the image recording unit 15. After the conversion of the mode, magnification, etc., it is processed and generated as a recorded image, and then the advertisement image information is preferably synthesized immediately before the execution data is generated. In this mode, in particular, when conversion with enlargement is performed, the advertisement image information can be added to the image without reducing the advertisement image information.

  Further, as described above, the image adding means 16 (or the image recording means 15) is configured such that the image adding means 16 determines the form (number, position, etc.) of predetermined advertisement image information according to the feature determined by the feature determining means 16d. (Density, size, etc.) should be determined. In this way, it is preferable to determine the form of the predetermined image information added according to the characteristics of the image recorded and reproduced on the recording material. For example, the advertisement image information to be added may be different depending on whether the image is determined to be a photographic image or the character image. Note that the feature determination means 16d may be determined simply as a result of the user selecting the photo mode or the character mode, or the feature is determined through a process of reading an image and extracting the feature. It may be something like this.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 10, the advertisement image 82 may be recorded on only one place on the original image 81 on the recording material 80, or the recording of only the company logo “SHARP” may be performed as in this example. Good.

  Here, in order to roughly supplement the flow of the image forming process according to the present invention, an example of a copying process in the image forming apparatus will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of an addition / non-addition determination table for each mode used in the image forming apparatus of the present invention. In the figure, 90 is this table. FIG. 12 is a flowchart for explaining the flow of copying processing in the image forming apparatus of the present invention. 11 represents a table 90 used in the flow of FIG.

  In the example of the copying process described with reference to FIGS. 11 and 12, first, it is confirmed that an original is set (step S1). Next, the user sets the mode, and the image forming apparatus receives it (step S2). It is determined whether or not the start key has been pressed by the user (step S3). After confirming that the start key is pressed, the original is read (step S4).

  Next, it is determined whether or not advertisement image information is added (step S5). In step S5, for example, the determination is performed according to the mode set in steps S1 and S2. For example, as shown in the table 90, when a document is set on an SPF (automatic document feeder) in step S1, the modes set in step S2 are a copy mode, a mail transmission mode, and a filing mode. The advertisement image information is added to. On the other hand, the advertisement image information is also added when the document is set on the document table in step S1 and the mode set in step S2 is the copy mode and the mail transmission mode. In addition, regardless of the original setting position in step S1, advertising image information is not added when FAX transmission is performed. In this table 90, it is assumed that filing operation from the document table is prohibited.

  Based on the result of determination in step S5, if necessary, advertisement image information is added to the image data (step S6), and image forming processing is executed (step S7). On the other hand, based on the result of the determination in step S5, if unnecessary, the image forming process is executed without executing step S6 (step S7).

  As described above, the addition / non-addition of the advertisement image information may be set for each mode in advance by the administrator as well as the setting by the user. Preferably, the user can automatically determine addition / non-addition by making settings in the image processing mode determination means 14 or the like, and the user can only select a mode for which addition is set by the administrator. It is preferable to enable addition / non-addition setting.

  Finally, in order to roughly supplement the flow of image formation and charging processing in the image forming processing according to the present invention, an example of copying processing with charging in the image forming apparatus will be described with reference to FIGS. 13 and 14. . FIG. 13 is a view showing an example of the operation panel in the image forming apparatus of the present invention. In FIG. 13, 22 is an operation panel corresponding to the operation unit of FIG. FIG. 14 is a flowchart for explaining the flow of copying processing with charge in the image forming apparatus of the present invention. The operation panel 22 in FIG. 13 represents the operation panel used in the flow in FIG. Although the mode selection described here is only simpler, the mode may be determined by any setting described above.

  First, the user selects a copy mode by pressing any one of the advertisement copy button 92, the color copy button 93, and the monochrome copy button 94 (step S10). The image forming apparatus accepts this and determines whether the mode is color, monochrome, or advertisement (steps S11, S21, S31). Then, the user sets a document, and inputs copy conditions by operating the touch panel 91 and the number input button 95 such as a number or cancel.

  When the color mode is selected, the image forming apparatus receives the input from the user, confirms the setting of the original (step S12), and accepts the copy condition input by the user (step S13). Thereafter, it is determined whether or not the copy button 96 has been pressed (step S14). If the copy button 96 has not been pressed, the process returns to that state or step S13 to wait for the press. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S14 that the copy button 96 has been pressed, the original is read (step S15), and a color image is formed on the recording paper (step S16). Thereafter, the user is charged 50 yen / sheet as a charge for the color image (step S17). Note that charging may be performed by inserting coins in advance, and in that case, the charging amount may be subtracted from the inserted amount.

  In the case of the monochrome mode, the image forming apparatus receives input from the user, confirms the setting of the original (step S22), and accepts the copy condition input by the user operation (step S23), as in the color mode. ). Thereafter, it is determined whether or not the copy button 96 has been pressed (step S24). If the copy button 96 has not been pressed, the process returns to that state or step S23 to wait for the press. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S24 that the copy button 96 has been pressed, the original is read (step S25), and a monochrome image is formed on the recording paper (step S26). Thereafter, the user is charged 10 yen / sheet as a monochrome image charge (step S27).

  When in the advertisement mode, the image forming apparatus receives the user input, confirms the setting of the document (step S32), and accepts the copy condition input by the user operation (step S32), as in the other modes. S33). Thereafter, it is determined whether or not the copy button 96 has been pressed (step S34). If not, the state returns to step S33 or waits for a press. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S34 that the copy button 96 has been pressed, the original is read (step S35).

  Here, even in the advertisement mode, the user needs to set color / monochrome in advance (or automatically discriminate), and requests selection of color / monochrome before and after the advertisement copy button 92 is pressed. A screen may be displayed on the touch panel 91 and the selection result may be received. Further, after the advertisement copy button 92 is pressed, it may be displayed on the touch panel 91 so as to select which advertisement is selected as the background as shown in FIG. 13 and the selection result is accepted.

  Here, “XX convenience store” selection button 91a, “Δ △ bank” selection button 91b, “XX bookstore” selection button 91c, “XX newspaper” selection button 91d, “XX store” selection button 91e, and “ An example in which the “SHARP” selection button 91f is displayed is shown. At the time of the display here, the copy price per sheet or the reduced amount per sheet may be displayed together on the selection buttons 91a to 91f. With such a display, it is possible to make a difference in the amount of reduction that each advertiser can provide and allow the user to select. The user can make a cheaper copy by selecting an advertiser with more reduction. The printing examples illustrated in FIGS. 5 to 10 represent the result of pressing the “SHARP” selection button 91f. Also, the display itself on the touch panel 91 can provide an advertising effect for the operator (user).

  After step S35, the advertisement image information is read and combined with the read image to generate a combined image (step S36), and color / monochrome determination is performed (step S37). When it is determined in step S37 that color printing is performed, a color image obtained by combining the advertisement image with the read image is formed on the recording paper (step S38), and the price for the color image obtained by subtracting the advertisement price is 40. The user is charged Yen / sheet (step S39). On the other hand, if it is determined in step S37 that monochrome printing is performed, a monochrome image obtained by combining the advertisement image with the read image is formed on the recording paper (step S40), and the price for the monochrome image obtained by subtracting the advertisement fee is used. The user is charged 5 yen / sheet (step S41).

1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a system including an image forming apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration example of an image reading unit in the image forming apparatus of FIG. 2. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a device control unit in the image forming apparatus of FIG. 2. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a recording material that has been subjected to printing processing in the image forming apparatus of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating another example of a recording material that has been printed in the image forming apparatus of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating another example of a recording material that has been printed in the image forming apparatus of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating another example of a recording material that has been printed in the image forming apparatus of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating another example of a recording material that has been printed in the image forming apparatus of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating another example of a recording material that has been printed in the image forming apparatus of the present invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the addition / non-addition determination table classified by mode used in the image forming apparatus of this invention. FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining a flow of a series of copying processes in the image forming apparatus of the present invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the operation panel in the image forming apparatus of this invention. FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining a flow of copying processing with charge in the image forming apparatus of the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Image processing apparatus (image forming apparatus, digital multifunction device), 11 ... User authentication means, 12 ... First image information input means, 13 ... Second image information input means, 14 ... Image processing mode determination means, 15 ... Image Processing means (image recording means), 16 ... Image addition means, 16a ... Addition determination means, 16b ... Promotional selection means, 16c ... Additional information setting means, 16d ... Feature determination means, 17 ... Processing means (recording means), 18 ... Charging means, 18a ... recording price charging means, 18b ... advertisement price charging means, 20 ... first image reading section, 21 ... second image reading section, 22 ... operation section (operation panel), 23 ... image forming section, 23a ... Printing unit, 23b ... Memory, 24 ... Hard disk (HD), 25 ... FAX modem, 26 ... Communication unit, 27 ... Management unit, 28 ... Timer, 29 ... Erase processing unit, 30 ... Device control unit, 30a ... CPU 30b ... RAM, 30c ... ROM, 30d ... bus, 30e ... input I / F, 30f ... output I / F, 31 ... image adding unit, 31a ... addition determining unit, 31b ... advertisement selecting unit, 31c ... information setting unit, 31d ... feature judgment unit 32 ... charge unit 40 ... image scanner unit 45 ... CCD image reading unit 46 ... CIS image reading unit 91 ... touch panel 91a ... "XX convenience store" selection button 91b ... "△△ bank" selection button, 91c ... "XX bookstore" selection button, 91d ... "XX newspaper" selection button, 91e ... "XX store" selection button, 91f ... "SHARP" selection button, 92 ... advertisement Copy button, 93 ... color copy button, 94 ... monochrome copy button, 95 ... copy number input button, 96 ... copy button, 102a, 102b ... terminal PC, 103 ... Network 104 104 Telephone network 105 Internet network 106 External fax 107 Internet fax 108 External PC 109 109 External server

Claims (26)

  An image forming apparatus for inputting image information to form an image on a recording material, an image information input unit for inputting image information, and a predetermined visual information for the image information input from the image information input unit Image adding means for adding the advertisement image information and image recording means for forming an image from the added image information after the predetermined advertisement image information is added by the image adding means and recording the image on the recording material And the predetermined advertisement image information is information that can be recorded at a predetermined position on the recording material overlapping the image information input by the image information input means.   The predetermined advertisement image information is information relating to the same number of advertisement images as the divided areas, which are arranged to be recordable at the same position in each divided area when divided into a plurality of divided areas on the recording material. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image adding unit switches the predetermined position to which the predetermined advertisement image information is added according to a size of the recording material.   The image adding means holds, as the predetermined advertisement image information, advertisement image information corresponding to a recording material handled by the image forming apparatus, and the image adding means holds the information according to a recording material to be recorded by the image recording means. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the advertisement image information is added.   The image recording means has image conversion means for converting the form of the image when recording the image information input by the image information input means, and the image addition means has the image form by the image conversion means. 5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein even when converted, the held advertisement image information is added according to a recording material to be recorded by the image recording unit.   The image adding means includes means for holding advertisement image information corresponding to the size and / or color of a recording material handled by the image forming apparatus as the predetermined advertisement image information. 6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the held advertisement image information is added according to a size and / or color of a recording material.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined advertisement image information includes logo mark information.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined advertisement image information is information on an image having gradation.   A feature determination unit that determines a feature of the image information input by the image information input unit is provided, and the image addition unit determines a form of the predetermined advertisement image information according to the feature determined by the feature determination unit. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is an image forming apparatus.   The image addition means includes addition determination means for allowing a user to determine whether or not to add the predetermined advertisement image information to the image information input from the image information input means. Item 10. The image forming apparatus according to any one of Items 1 to 9.   The image adding means holds a plurality of the predetermined advertisement image information, and adds one or more advertisement image information to be added to the image information inputted from the image information input means from among the plurality held. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an advertisement selection unit that causes the user to select an advertisement.   User information input means for inputting user advertisement information about the user of the image forming apparatus is provided, and the image adding means also includes user advertisement information input by the user information input means as part of the predetermined advertisement image information. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further added together.   The image recording means has means for recording images on both sides of the recording material, and the image adding means records images on the first surface and the second surface of the recording material. 13. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising means for adding the predetermined advertisement image information to both or one of the images to be printed.   14. The image forming apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the image adding unit adds the predetermined advertisement image information recorded on both sides of the recording material so as to be shifted on the front and back sides of the recording material. apparatus.   15. The image adding unit according to claim 1, further comprising an additional information setting unit that allows an administrator of the image forming apparatus to set the content of the predetermined advertisement image information. Image forming apparatus.   The image information input unit includes an image reading unit that reads a document as image information, and the image forming apparatus performs an image from the added image information after the predetermined advertisement image information is added by the image adding unit. File recording means for generating a file and recording it on a recording medium is provided, and the predetermined advertisement image information can be synthesized and recorded at a predetermined position overlapping with the image information input by the image reading means. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising information.   17. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a recording price charging unit that charges a user for recording by the image recording unit.   18. The image forming apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the recording consideration charging unit performs a charging process according to whether or not the advertisement image information is added by the image adding unit.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 17 or 18, wherein the recording consideration charging unit performs a charging process in accordance with the advertisement image information added by the image adding unit.   20. The image forming apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the recording price charging unit performs a charging process according to a form of advertisement image information added by the image adding unit.   21. A print service provision comprising: an image forming apparatus according to claim 1; and an information processing apparatus of an advertiser connected to the image forming apparatus via a network, and providing a print service to a user. A printing service providing system, comprising: an advertisement consideration charging means for charging the information processing apparatus through a network for advertisement consideration.   The advertising consideration billing means has additional amount counting means for counting the quantity to which the predetermined advertising image information is added, and consideration calculating means for calculating the consideration for the quantity counted by the additional quantity counting means. The printing service providing system according to claim 21, wherein the information calculated by the consideration calculating means is charged to the information processing apparatus.   21. A print service provision comprising: an image forming apparatus according to claim 1; and an information processing apparatus of an advertiser connected to the image forming apparatus via a network, and providing a print service to a user. A printing service providing system comprising: an advertisement receiving means for receiving the predetermined advertisement image information from the information processing apparatus via a network.   21. A program that is incorporated in the image forming apparatus according to claim 1, and causes a control unit of the image forming apparatus to function as the image adding unit or the image adding unit and the recording fee billing unit.   24. A program which is incorporated in an image forming apparatus in the print service providing system according to any one of claims 21 to 23 and causes a control unit of the image forming apparatus to function as the advertisement consideration charging means or the advertisement receiving means.   The computer-readable recording medium which recorded the program of Claim 24 or 25.

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